The thermally-triggered depolymerization mechanism of the transient material cyclic poly(phthalaldehyde) (cPPA) was investigated, and a previously unknown stimulus was observed to induce triggered transience. The effects of impurities and small molecule additives were probed, and a cohesive mechanistic model for the thermally-triggered depolymerization of cPPA was developed. A bifurcated triggering system is proposed, wherein both Lewis acid catalysis and single electron transfer (SET) oxidation contribute to a cationic chain-unzipping degradation pathway. Supporting evidence for this model will be discussed. Greater impacts of the novel SET-triggering pathway will also be discussed, including selective depolymerization of cPPA via small molecule chemical oxidation, photochemical oxidation, and electrolysis, and the applications thereof to bulk transient materials and targeted delivery systems.

Autonomous materials: Triggered transience and targeted delivery

255th National Meeting (2018)

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